Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Explores History and Innovation

Sandfall Interactive's founder and creative director, Guillaume Broche, recently shared insightful details about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, shedding light on its historical influences and innovative gameplay features. Dive in to discover more about this eagerly awaited game.

Real-world Influences and Gameplay Innovation

Inspiration Behind the Name and Narrative

The term "Clair Obscur" is deeply rooted in the artistic and cultural movement that flourished in France during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Broche explained that this historical context not only influenced the game's artistic direction but also encapsulates the overarching world of the game.

The second part of the title, "Expedition 33," directly relates to the game's plot. Broche revealed that it signifies the annual expeditions led by the protagonist, Gustave, aimed at thwarting the Paintress, a formidable antagonist who paints a number on her monolith, triggering the "Gommage"—an event that erases everyone of that age. The reveal trailer poignantly showcased the protagonist's partner succumbing after the Paintress painted the number 33, marking her age.

Broche further elaborated on the narrative's inspiration, citing the French fantasy novel La Horde du Contrevent, which chronicles a group of explorers venturing into the unknown. He also expressed his affinity for stories involving high stakes and exploration, such as the anime/manga Attack on Titan.

Innovating Classic Turn-based RPG

Broche then turned the spotlight on the game's graphics, highlighting a significant gap in the market. "There hasn’t been a high-fidelity turn-based RPG in a long while," he noted. "We seized the opportunity to create something unique that would resonate with gamers craving this experience."

While previous games like Valkyria Chronicles and Project X Zone have dabbled in real-time turn-based mechanics, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 introduces a novel reactive turn-based battle system. Broche explained, "Players can strategize during their turns, but during the enemy's turn, real-time reactions are required to dodge, jump, or parry, potentially leading to powerful counterattacks."

The inspiration for this system stems from action-packed games such as the Souls series, Devil May Cry, and NieR. Broche's team aimed to infuse the rewarding gameplay mechanics of these titles into a turn-based format, providing a fresh and engaging experience.

Looking Forward

Broche's insights have painted a vivid picture of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's lore and narrative, deeply rooted in real-world influences. The game promises to captivate players with its high-fidelity graphics and innovative reactive battle system, merging strategic planning with real-time reactions.

Set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC by 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is eagerly anticipated. Broche concluded with a message to future players: "We’re thrilled with the excitement surrounding the world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. As our debut title, the positive reception has been overwhelming, and we can’t wait to unveil more as we approach our launch next year."